Spending Review: All Very George Osborne

You should have another think on Alan Johnson's performance. It started amusingly and with human warmth, but was a near car crash by the end. Just look at the pictures of his colleagues (and, indeed, himself when he sat down). It does not matter much, and I like Johnson actually, but, honestly it became awful. He is out of his depth there.

2:50 pm October 20, 2010

Span Ows wrote :

The "expressions of concern" were the fact that they are doing a whole lot, the sanity and stability soundbite, they are reducing spending but the overall real terms cut is miniscule. A darn sight better than expected.
...more for less

2:51 pm October 20, 2010

Span Ows wrote :

Crumbs...your article has grown! Only up to part 4 when I replied before.

"The growth story was missing"...becasue it is a numbers game. Any % "announced" is likely to be wrong one way or another.

"Osborne is protecting the Cameron brand"...good.

..."aircraft carriers without planes". Only because we don't have the money. Planes could be here tomorrow if there wasn't such a black hole.

"Alan Johnson had little material to play with, but he put in a classy performance in response" ...

...But he will need a good deal more than jokes."

You saved point 9 by that last sentence. Johnson was crap, only jokes and pre written sound bites.

3:09 pm October 20, 2010

Hannam wrote :

You really are going to have to lose your adoration of the inspired choice Johnson. He was appalling in response to Osborne. He came across as an ignorant clown who had nothing of substance to say. This wasn't surprising as he is an ignorant clown with nothing to say. Even his Labour colleagues, including Miliband, were stony faced during much of his bufoonery,

You might as well close DUEMA now. David Cameron obliterated Miliband.

I'll bet Labour wish they had David Miliband as leader and Yvette Cooper as Shadow Chancellor instead of the two nonentities they have now.

3:25 pm October 20, 2010

Jane wrote :

I watched the Parliament Channel from noon. I saw Ed Miliband being demolished by the PM and the Shadow Chancellor look foolish and ignorant in his reponse to the budget. I do like Alan Johnson but sadly do not think he is up to the job. It was telling watching Ed Ball's face when he was speaking. I also thought it highly inappropriate for Alan Johnson to be making jokes on a day when the country knows what it is facing up to. Ed Miliband has made an error by sidelining the two members of the Shadow Cabinet Mr and Mrs Balls. Either, would be a more formidable opponent and be credible in the present situation. It does feel to me that Ed Miliband is weak as he is fearful of losing control of the treasury brief to more able colleagues.

Not a bad budget - much better than I anticipated. I was willing to give up my perks that I get as a retired person. Politicians should not make promises during elections as these perks are not affordable and should go those in greater need.

4:00 pm October 20, 2010

Hugo Chav wrote :

A more reasoned piece of analysis than Peter Oborne who has just become an out and out basher.

I agree that Johnson is out of his depth and David is a huge miss for Labour.

Good day for the Libservatives, good day for the country and hopefully a god damn awful day for Labour who are tax and spend hooligans.

5:03 pm October 20, 2010

Trevors Den wrote :

For me, my cheers were for labours dire legacy being exposed and the bravery of someone tying to do something about it.

For all I do not like Libdems - those that are left do seem to realise the mess we are in and are honestly trying to do something about it.

5:13 pm October 20, 2010

duc de montesquieu wrote :

Best summary I've read ... I too was listening to both PMQs and the Budget statement and response ... Milli Minor was left for dead by Cameron who is showing his mettle. (Am I the only one who likes Cameron but remains deeply suspicious of the dodgy, grinning shower of privileged nobs he leads?).

Johnson came up with only waffle. Can you imagine what Robin Cook in his hey day could have made with the material he was given? Such is Labour diminished by the Blair-Brown hegemony.

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